Quincy High graduates advised to savor the journey not the destination

Tuesday

Jun 3, 2003 at 12:01 AMJun 3, 2003 at 3:22 AM

A few weeks ago, Priscilla Chan sat down to write her valedictory speech only to come up with a case of writer’s block. She turned to a trusty book of famous quotations, searching for some wisdom among the great minds of history. She mixed a few Seuss gems with her own experiences traveling the world with her mother in her speech during graduation ceremonies at Veterans Memorial Stadium last night.

Christopher Walker

A few weeks ago, Priscilla Chan sat down to write her valedictory speech only to come up with a case of writer’s block. She turned to a trusty book of famous quotations, searching for some wisdom among the great minds of history.

Dante, Shakespeare and Plato all had plenty to say, but it was a writer a little further down the literary chain that offered the most meaningful words to Quincy High School graduates, Chan said. Dr. Seuss’ inspirational opus “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” formed the foundation of Chan’s advice to her classmates during graduation ceremonies at Veterans Memorial Stadium last night.

Chan mixed a few Seuss gems with her own experiences traveling the world with her mother. She told graduates to chase their dreams and seek a better understanding of the world around them.

“Sometimes a journey to a place entirely foreign can help you see familiar things more clearly,” said Chan, who will be attending Harvard in the fall.

Quincy High Principal Robert Keuther Jr. ticked off a long list of accomplishments of the 273 graduates, including academics, sports and community service.

Class president and salutatorian Christina Diep labeled the seniors “an absolutely tremendous” class, but noted that an array of people – friends, parents and teachers – played a key part in their success.

“What makes each of you unique is the road you took to get here and the experiences you had. It’s not the piece of paper that’s going to be hanging on a wall, but the story that it represents,” said Mayor William Phelan. “It’s the journey, not the destination, that has shaped the person you are.”